I guess it's been busy lately.
Let's see, my friend Hanna came for a visit at the end of June and my birthday just happens to be the last day of June, so it worked out well. Little did I know that my husband and my friend were in cahoots about a surprise! This was really unexpected because last year, when I turned the big 3-0 Jay surprised me with a big party, speakeasy style. This year he started a trend... and did it again except it was on the rooftop of our building! He planned the whole thing and really just had Hanna do all the lying :) I was doubly surprised again because not only did I have a party with lots of friends, but my mom and Jay's mom made it! I don't have any pictures of the party because I wasn't prepared. But it was fun, beautiful and reminded me how blessed I am!
The day Hanna left, the mom's moved in. My mom and Jay's mom stayed a couple days, then James and I went back to VA for a while. Jay's been completely overwhelmed with school work and needed the extra time to study and get caught up! This trip wasn't planned initially but I had to opportunity to see my niece Taylor who I haven't seen in quite a while and her little girl Layla who I had never met. What a joy! It's a long story, but I can say this: Prayers were answered and our family welcomed them with open and eager arms.
This was Layla's first birthday... she did an excellent job with the icing of her cake. Classic!
Layla looks so much like Taylor did when she was little and it was so fun to have Layla and James play together... or fight over a toy, whatever you want to call it.
Then when I left VA my other niece, Gabby, came along and stayed for a week in the city! We didn't do a whole lot but we did ride the Staten Island (free) fairy to see the Statue of Liberty- one of the few things she didn't do when she came last time.
I enjoyed spending time with her and she, in turn enjoyed the less chaotic household, for a time anyway. She was ready to go home so on Saturday we all went to NJ where Gabby was picked up and then spent the night there visiting with Jay's aunt and uncle, his parents, and an uncle from TX. So Sunday (yesterday) we got back to the city, back home, and took a deep breath. It's been a while since it's just been us and I have to admit it feels good.
He's getting so big; and more and more I see him becoming a little boy instead of a baby!
